I've done this a long time ago as you might know if you remember one of my posts in the funny computer screenshots topic, I haven't thought of posting how I managed to do this until now but I don't know how interesting this will be. But anyways here's how to install Windows Media Player 7.1 on Windows XP N (without Media Player preinstalled of course). This may work with other media player versions but I haven't tested it with anything other than 7.1.

1. Extract the contents of the Windows Media Player 7.1 Setup with 7-Zip2. Rename setup_wm.exe to something else (like setup_wm1.exe) otherwise you'll get compatibility errors.3. Run the renamed setup file in Windows 2000 compatibility mode4. Install it, You might have to restart manually5. Extract the contents of the Windows Media Player 9 Setup with 7-Zip6. Copy wmidx.dll and wmasf.dll from WMP9 setup to System32

And there you have it, Windows Media Player 7.1 on Windows XP N. This was tested and confirmed working by me although I currently have no screenshots to prove it, But if you can find the topic mentioned earlier there should be a screenshot.